Hamilton County Arrest Records
Arrest records in Hamilton County go through the Sheriff's Office in Lake Pleasant, which is also the county seat. Hamilton County is the least populated county in all of New York State, and the jail here has just 14 beds. Most bookings are for misdemeanors. Still, the same rules that apply to bigger counties apply here: you can request arrest records through FOIL, check court files through the County Clerk, and look up state criminal history through DCJS. The county sits deep in the Adirondacks and is part of the 4th Judicial District. Below is a breakdown of where to find arrest records and how each office handles requests.
Hamilton County Overview
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Records
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is at 102 County View Drive, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108. Phone is 518-548-3113. Sheriff Karl G. Abrams leads the office with Undersheriff Ronald Johnston. The Sheriff handles all arrest records, incident reports, and booking data across Hamilton County.
Hamilton County runs the smallest county jail in New York State. With just 14 beds, the facility typically holds fewer than 5 inmates on any given day. Most arrests here are misdemeanors. The jail operates out of the same building as the Sheriff's Office on County View Drive.
To get arrest records, submit a FOIL request in writing. FOIL stands for Freedom of Information Law, set out in Public Officers Law sections 84 through 90. Include the person's full name, date of arrest if you know it, and any case numbers. The Records Access Officer at the Sheriff's Office must respond within five business days. Copies cost $0.25 per page.
For emergencies, call 911. The non-emergency dispatch number is 518-548-6111. Fingerprinting, civil process, and pistol permit services are also available through the Sheriff's Office.
Court Records in Hamilton County
The Hamilton County Clerk is at 102 County View Drive, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108. Phone is 518-548-7111. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The Clerk's office keeps records from Supreme Court and County Court cases. That includes felony arrest records that made it to trial or plea.
Hamilton County Court is at the same address. Phone is 518-548-6651. The county is in the 4th Judicial District. Given the small population, the court handles a much lighter caseload than most New York counties, but the procedures are the same. You can search records in person or send a written request. A photo ID is needed for in-person visits.
The Office of Court Administration has a Criminal History Record Search for $95 per name. It is name-based and needs an exact match. Sealed records do not appear. Results take one to two business days.
Check WebCrims for pending criminal cases in Hamilton County. Guest access is free. You need three letters of the last name and two of the first. Only active cases show up here.
Hamilton County District Attorney
The Hamilton County District Attorney's Office is at 102 County View Drive, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108. Phone is 518-548-7200. The DA reviews arrests and files charges for all criminal matters in the county. Given how few cases come through, the office is small but handles the full range of responsibilities you see in any other county DA's office.
Victim services are available. The DA works with treatment courts and accepts FOIL requests in writing. Office hours are Monday through Friday.
State Resources for Hamilton County Records
The Division of Criminal Justice Services maintains the official state criminal history database. Records there are fingerprint-based. To get your own rap sheet, submit fingerprints at an IdentoGO location for $50 to $65. Results come by mail in 7 to 10 business days. DCJS records are not available through FOIL or third-party sites.
CPL section 160.50 automatically seals arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal. The Clean Slate Act seals eligible misdemeanors after 3 years and felonies after 8 years from sentence completion. Sex offenses and Class A felonies are excluded.
Use the DOCCS Inmate Lookup to find people in state prison. The Sex Offender Registry is free to search by name, county, or ZIP code for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders.
FOIL Requests in Hamilton County
Freedom of Information Law gives the public a right to access government records. File your request with the Sheriff, County Clerk, or DA. Each has a Records Access Officer. Be as specific as you can about the records you want. Include names, dates, and case numbers.
The office must respond within five business days. They can release records, deny the request with a written explanation, or ask for more time. Copies are $0.25 per page. Exempt records include sealed cases, open investigations, and material that would invade personal privacy. Under Public Officers Law section 89, all denials must be explained in writing.
Sealing and Expungement
Under CPL section 160.50, arrests that end in dismissal or acquittal are sealed automatically. Cannabis convictions wiped out by the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act are treated as if they never happened.
CPL section 160.59 allows sealing of up to two criminal convictions if 10 years have passed since the last sentence was completed. No more than one can be a felony. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A felonies do not qualify. Apply at the court where the conviction happened. The NY Attorney General's office has more details on eligibility and how to file.
The Hamilton County government website provides contact details for the Sheriff's Office and information on requesting arrest records.
Using State Search Tools for Hamilton County
Hamilton County has very few arrests each year, so the state tools can be more useful here than in busier counties. The CHRS search from the Office of Court Administration costs $95 per name and covers all 62 counties. It is name-based, not fingerprint-based, so you need an exact match on both name and date of birth. Sealed records will not show. Results with no match come back right away. Results with records take one to two business days because staff review them first.
WebCrims is free and shows pending criminal cases with future court dates. Guest login works for basic searches. You need at least three letters of the last name and two of the first name. Closed cases, sealed cases, and bench warrants do not appear on WebCrims. It only covers cases where someone has a court date coming up.
For people who end up in state prison, the DOCCS Inmate Lookup updates daily and covers all 50 state correctional facilities. Search by name or ID number. The tool shows current custody status, facility location, and sentence details. People removed under Correction Law section 9 after five years will not appear in results.
Nearby Counties
These neighboring counties each have their own law enforcement offices and court systems for arrest records: